The Office for National Statistics reported that 622,376 stalking and harassment offences were recorded in the year to December, fuelled by a 7% increase in stalking. Rape allegations rose 5% to 74,174, while the Crown Prosecution Service is handling more rape cases than in the last decade, with charges up 29%. Shadow Home Secretary Chris Philp said the rise in sexual offences is 'truly shameful' and Labour's promise to halve violence against women 'lies in ruins'. Shadow Home Office Minister Alicia Kearns said Labour scrapped plans for specialist rape courts and is failing women. Home Office minister Jess Phillips pledged urgent action including specialist rape and sexual offence teams.
Overall recorded crime (excluding fraud and computer offences) fell 2% to 5.24 million, and the Crime Survey of England and Wales showed stable crime levels at 9.6 million incidents. However, drug offences soared 18% to 230,783, the highest since 2011, with drug trafficking up 26% to nearly 76,000, the highest on record. Robbery hit a five-year high with 84,666 offences. Knife crime fell 10% and homicides involving a knife dropped 21% in 2025.
The rise in sexual offences is truly shameful and Labour's promise to halve violence against women lies in ruins.
An estimated 5.1 million people (10.6% of adults) experienced domestic abuse, sexual assault or stalking in the last year, according to the ONS. Police recorded 824,772 domestic abuse-related offences and 641,461 violent crimes. Nearly three-quarters (73%) of stalking victims are women, according to latest government figures.
Almost half of those contacting the Suzy Lamplugh Trust helpline reported being stalked by an ex-partner. According to The Guardian - Main UK, Jo Silver, CEO of SafeLives, described stalking as often part of domestic abuse, especially after a relationship has ended. More than 90% of stalking victims experience psychological impacts, research shows.
Stalking offences continue to be overlooked.
Blackpool has the highest stalking crime rate in England and Wales at 7.2 per 1,000 people, according to multiple reports.
The number of stalking offences leading to charges by the CPS rose to 6,790 in 2024-25, up from 2,305 in 2020-21. The CPS launched its first stalking action plan last month to tackle the evolving nature of the offence in the digital age, a spokesperson said.
The rise in recorded stalking offences is driven by better awareness and recognition of behaviours like coercive control.
Campaigners from the Suzy Lamplugh Trust warn stalking offences 'continue to be overlooked'. The Liberal Democrats are calling for emergency stalking protection notices similar to those used for domestic abuse.
Recorded shoplifting offences dipped 1% to 509,566 incidents, according to the ONS. However, the British Retail Consortium said the shoplifting crimewave is far from over, with 5.5 million detected incidents last year. The Daily Express reported an 8% rise since the election, suggesting confusion over time periods or reclassifications.
Stalking is often part of domestic abuse, especially after a relationship has ended.
According to The Guardian - World, Hannah Al-Othman described the rise in recorded stalking offences as driven by better awareness and recognition of behaviours like coercive control. A CPS spokesperson said technology has made it easier for perpetrators to track and monitor victims, contributing to the rise.
It remains unclear what specific measures are included in the government's specialist rape and sexual offence teams, and how many stalking cases result in convictions. The breakdown of stalking offences by region beyond Blackpool, the Met, and Greater Manchester is not available. The timeline for implementing the CPS stalking action plan and the government's specialist teams has not been announced.